Photographs are visuals that help students understand the descriptions in the text. The stages of life of the monarch butterfly can be described in words, but a picture of each stage will define it much clearer. Fourth-graders look at pictures as a preview to the article before reading it. They also look at the pictures as they read the text to verify their understanding of the descriptions from the reading. Matching the reading with the pictures builds and develops self-confidence in fourth-graders.
Diagrams are helpful to explain more fully through drawings concepts that cannot be captured in a picture. For instance, the layers of the earth are interpreted more clearly with a diagram depicting the depth, names and position of the different layers. The layers of the earth would be impossible to capture as a photograph.
Maps are graphic features which instruct students about the location they are reading about. Understanding the landforms, waterways and one location's connection to another location's geographical address by reading maps benefits readers' understanding. Prior to reading the text, students decode the key of the map to be aware of the scale and the directions, along with other defining points outlined in the key. For instance, a fourth-grade social studies book chronicles the pioneer's westward migration. A map outlining the routes the pioneers took to reach the west reveals information to the reader prior to reading the chapter.
Graphs are a way to show data that has been collected. Circle graphs, bar graphs, pictographs and line graphs are examples a fourth-grade student will see in their textbooks. When students read a graph, tell them to observe the title and scale before forming conclusions about the information. Graphs show trends by putting large amounts of information in a more efficient, readable form.